Timelines Are Not Meant To Be Joined Together (SAMTBK Vol. 5)

Act 16: Help To Understand

Serenity's P.O.V.

Ahsoka has been the most unpleasant person to be around, second to Max of course. Neither would talk, both would hardly eat if at all, and neither would accept comfort.

Edric's tried to talk Ahsoka into at least doing something to take care of herself, but she refuses to stop moping. The only things she'd say are "She's gone" and "Is she coming back?"

It hurts seeing her this way.

...

And then there's Max.

He hasn't stopped staring out the window. He has something in his hand... but I haven't gotten a good look at it, so I don't know what relevance it is.

I've tried to talk to him, but...

"Leave him be," Aera would tell me. "He just needs some time to himself."

I want to help him, but I don't know what he's going through...

"Max..." I began, putting my hand on his my shoulder, Aera and the others had already gone to sleep. He didn't look away from the window. "Max, please..."

When he didn't respond, I closed the curtains.

He instantly turned and faced me with a face full of anger, grief, confusion, and pain.

It's hard to look him in the eye.

"Max, can you please just talk to me?"

"You would never understand," he mumbled.

"Help me to understand. Help me, Max. Please."

"Leave me alone."

"Max, I can't stand to see you like this! It's killing me to see this from you!"

"Just go to bed Serenity. I'll be-"

"No, Max. You're not fine. Don't lie to me. I've watched you for years. You haven't been okay since Claire went to Neol back then. I thought you'd go right back to normal when she came back, but you didn't. You've changed, Max. Why?"

"JUST GO AWAY SERENITY!!!"

I couldn't believe it...

He yelled at me...

I didn't think he'd do that... especially after all we've been through together.

I've set aside my feelings before.

No.

This time, I'll be the one to talk.

I'll end this on my terms.

"No... Max..." I could feel the tears... "I'll always be here for you. Don't tell me to go away... I care about you. I always will. You can yell. You can scream. But I want you to know that..." I clenched my fist subconsciously, but I felt it nonetheless. "That it won't change how I feel." I noticed he was a little surprised to be hearing this from me. "That's what unconditional love is... right?"

"Serenity, I-"

"Goodnight, Maxwell Zuki."

I kissed him on the cheek and left the room.

When I returned to my room and closed the door behind me, I slid to the floor.

I can't stop caring.

How does Aera do it?

It's hard to believe she's really that cold-hearted...

I can't believe I ever considered what she could've been going through...

I leaned my head back against the door...

I curled up with my knees touching my head...

And I sat there, thinking to myself...

That's all I can do, anyway.

I'm losing plenty of sleep over this...

~~~~~~~~~~

Serenity chapter!

But she's really sad and empathetic here.

She's starting to understand more about certain people she's never questioned.

Next chapter is probably just as sad.

Sorry, people...

Forgive me, please.

That's all I have to say.

Bye!